N.H. Health Leaders Gather to Discuss Potential Impacts of House-Passed Budget Cuts
- NH Health Care Workforce Coalition
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 17
MANCHESTER – This morning, following this week’s vote in the N.H. House of Representatives, health care leaders from across the state gathered to discuss the harmful impacts of funding cuts included in the House-passed budget.
The House budget, which was approved Thursday, includes proposed reductions to Medicaid reimbursement rates, under-funding of key mental health services, and changes to the funding structure of critical substance use prevention, treatment and recovery programs, among other provisions that will undermine New Hampshire’s health care system and restrict providers’ ability to care for Granite State patients.
The $16 billion budget proposal, which covers the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years, is now moving over to the state Senate for consideration.
“These cuts are not just numbers on a page. They represent very real consequences for our hospitals, mental health centers and community health centers …, area agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities, and our critical provider workforce,” said Patricia Carty, President & CEO of the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, which hosted Friday’s press conference.
“(The cuts) will very negatively impact the State’s Mission Zero program, which has seen progress recently in addressing the emergency room boarding problem,” Carty said. “Most importantly, these budget cuts represent a direct threat to patient access to critical services, and the ability of our health care system to respond to ongoing challenges, including timely access to care, rapid response and crisis housing, substance use recovery, and other areas.”
At the press conference, leaders from Lamprey Health Care, Ascentria Care Alliance, Community Support Network, Inc. and New Futures warned about the severe impacts of the Medicaid reimbursement rate reduction, as well as funding cuts to the community mental health and development disability systems, and the change of the funding source for New Hampshire’s Alcohol Abuse, Prevention & Treatment Fund, which supports prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the state. Video of the press conference is available here: https://youtube.com/live/kBUBSWCycFk.
Gregory White, Co-CEO, Lamprey Health Care: “New Hampshire needs Medicaid rate increases, not decreases. We need our mental health services to be funded. Granite Staters who live with disabilities need their direct service providers to be paid a living wage. We need workforce initiatives, like the State Loan Repayment Program, to continue to meet the needs of the tens of thousands of patients we serve.”
Amy Moore, Vice President of In-Home Care, Ascentria Care Alliance: “We cannot go back. A reduction in Medicaid rates would further destabilize an already underfunded home care sector and force agencies to cut services. Without sufficient funding, vulnerable residents will lose access to home care and be forced into hospitals and nursing homes, increasing costs and creating system-wide bottlenecks.”
Kate Frey, Vice President of Advocacy, New Futures: “New Hampshire has made tremendous strides in combatting the terrible impact of overdoses and fatalities that have destroyed lives and families. Now is not the time to turn our backs on those struggling with this disease.”
Marissa Berg, Executive Director, Community Support Network, Inc.: “Right now, the developmental disabilities community in NH faces serious and immediate threats due to major cuts proposed in the state budget. The programs that support thousands of children, adults, and families—community-based services, early intervention, residential services, employment support, recreation, and respite care—are all at risk. … We urge our state leaders to stand with the critical agencies, programs, and community partners that care for New Hampshire’s most vulnerable citizens to protect the services that matter, and commit to building a compassionate, sustainable future for all.”
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